The Cult of Saktism in Orissa - Government of Orissa

150 feet from the ground level. There are two black
stone images, Arunei and Barunei by name
worshipped as presiding deities in the temple. The
Vije Pratima (the moving deity) 'Kanak Durga' is
worshipped during four days of Durga puja, i.e.
from 7th bright day of Aswin to 10th bright day
and rest of the days in the year. She remains
worshipped in the residence of the priest. During
the regime of Gajapati Maharaja of Orissa at
Khurda Garh, Kanak Durga and Jaya Durga of
royal palace got together on Dasahara in the
particular place every year and dispersed after the
function was over; Kanak Durga to the residence
of the priest and Jaya Durga to the palace. Now
Jaya Durga is worshipped in the palace of Gajapati
Maharaja at Puri. At the foot of the mountain, there
are Parswadevatas such as Mahadev, Mahavir and
Dudhakhai Thakurani etc.
Daily, Khiri and Enduri pitha are offered
to the goddess Arunei and Barunei. Some writers
say that the Gajapati Maharaja of Orissa brought
images of Uchista Ganesh (Bhanda Ganesh or
Kamada Ganesh) and Arunei - Barunei from
Kanchi and enshrined the Divine Mothers at
Khurda and took Bhanda Ganesh to Jagannath
Temple. Because of Her origin of worship in South
India, Enduri Pitha (Idli) is offered to the
goddess daily. Raja Sankranti is best of all the
festivals when devotees in thousands from all
around assemble. On Mahastami of the month of
Aswin, goats are offered to the goddess.
Ugratara
The temple of Ugratara is located at
Bhusandpur of Puri district, only two kms away
from lake Chilika. The perennial flow of a fountain
there provides transparent water to the devotees.
The image of Goddess corresponds with Hindu
Tara but not a Buddhist pantheon. The deity is
only 1'.6" high, with her left leg on the chest of
Lord Siva and right on his thigh. She is adorned
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with garland of skulls around her neck and snakes
around her arms. The place is full of scenery and
looks like the temple of Kedar Gouri at
Bhubaneswar. The place is considered to be the
best for the 'Tantra-Sadhakas'. Raja Sankranti
and Durga Puja are the important festivals of the
year thronged by thousands of people from all
around.
Maninaga
Maninaga is the tutelary deity of Raj-
Ranpur and its suburbs. The original rulers of this
Garajat were said to be the descendants of the
Sabar-king Biswabasu, and subsequently Bagedis
came into power. A piece of stone was originally
worshipped on the mountain as Goddess. The
offerings made to the goddess was eaten away
by a cobra set with gem, as the legend goes. The
mountain and the goddess derived their names as
such.
Bagedis were very powerful due to the
grace of Maninaga and could bring the suburb
areas under their control. The neighbouring kings
were tempted to steal away the deity from the
mountain. Goddess Maninaga disappeared in the
nether regions leaving a hole on the top of the
mountain which was subsequently covered with
golden plate and worshipped. A temple of 25 feet
height having no architectural refinement, was
erected on the mount to save the people from
rain and Sun. It is said, in the month of Magha, a
man was offered to the goddess as sacrifice which
was discontinued after independence. A tribal
Sevak named 'Jani' was engaged for the purpose
of worship. Because of the difficulties to climb
the mountain infested by wild animals, a temple
was constructed later, by the then king at the foot
of the mountain where the goddess is worshipped
both by Jani and Brahmin priests. People going
to the shrine on the top of the mountain worship
the goddess irrespective of their caste or creed.